Hunt on for suspect in fatal shooting at Pasco strip club

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A suspect who fled the scene of a fatal shooting early Thursday outside a Port Richey strip club is extremely dangerous and may have gang ties, Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said at a late-morning news conference where he called on the man to turn himself in.

The sheriff asked that anyone with information about the whereabouts of Taurezs Leigh Bullock, 27, call his office at (727) 847-5878. Nocco also vowed that his officers would be “tactically prepared” when they apprehend Bullock, who ran away from the strip club parking lot where a man identified as David Avant was shot to death.

“(Bullock) is a very violent individual,” Nocco said.

Bullock and a friend were at the Brass Flamingo, 9034 U.S. 19, in the early morning hours Thursday when the friend became involved in an argument with Avant, investigators said. After the strip club closed, the argument moved to the parking lot and became physical, Nocco said.

When a bystander tried to stop the fight, Bullock reportedly shot and wounded the bystander, then shot and killed Avant, the sheriff said. Bullock and his friend both ran away, Nocco said.

The sheriff’s office received a call at 2:15 a.m. about the shooting. The bystander, whom the sheriff’s office did not identify, was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The sheriff’s office has been searching for Bullock using its air unit and K-9 deputies. Nocco said anyone harboring the suspect could be charged as well.

The sheriff said Bullock is believed to be connected to a gang called the Valentine Bloods, which has been active in the area dealing in drugs and guns.

“There’s parts of Pasco that is not a sleepy bedroom community,” Nocco said.